Khalid Alshibli

Khalid Alshibli is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he has served since 2011. He previously held academic positions at Louisiana State University, Southern University, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and served as a Project Scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee and Louisiana.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, 1995
• M.S. in Civil Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, 1991
• B.S. in Civil Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, 1988

Research Interests: His research focuses on the mechanics of granular materials, experimental soil mechanics, constitutive modeling of soils, foundation engineering, and the behavior of soils under low effective stresses. He employs advanced imaging techniques such as X-ray and synchrotron microtomography to study soil microstructure and deformation mechanisms.

Publications and Research Trends: His recent publications emphasize the use of non-destructive evaluation techniques to analyze granular materials, including lunar regolith simulants. The work integrates experimental, imaging, and computational methods to understand soil strength, deformation, and micro-scale interactions, with applications in geotechnical and space engineering.

Scientific Awards:

• ASCE's J. James R. Croes Medal (2018)
• C. A. Hogentogler Award, ASTM International (2023)
• World’s Top 2% Cited Scientist (2023)
• UT-CEE Research Recognition Award (2018)
• Teacher of the Year Award, Southern University (2005-2006)
• NASA Group Achievement Award (2003)

Advising and Grants: Dr. Alshibli has advised numerous MS and PhD students at the University of Tennessee and Louisiana State University. His research has been supported by agencies such as NASA and the National Science Foundation. He actively serves as a reviewer for major journals and funding bodies, and participates in professional committees including those of ASCE and the Transportation Research Board.

Labs and Teams: He leads a dynamic research group focused on experimental geomechanics, utilizing advanced imaging and testing facilities. The team collaborates with national labs and international institutions on projects involving granular materials, soil characterization, and geotechnical instrumentation.